BNDES Approves R$300 Million for Aurora Coop Exports

By Brazil Stock Guide – Brazil’s development bank BNDES approved R$300 million in financing for Aurora Coop to mitigate the impact of external shocks and expand the food producer’s presence in international markets through greater export diversification.

The financing was approved under the federal government’s Brasil Soberano plan, according to a statement published Wednesday by BNDES. Aurora Coop, formally Cooperativa Central Aurora Alimentos, is headquartered in Chapecó, Santa Catarina.

The cooperative qualifies for Group 3 of companies eligible for support under Brasil Soberano because part of its exports are destined for Middle Eastern markets and were affected by the war in the Gulf region, BNDES said.

Funds will be provided through the Giro Exportação credit line and may be used by Aurora to diversify overseas destinations for frozen pork and poultry products.

Export Diversification

BNDES Productive Development, Innovation and Foreign Trade Director José Luis Gordon said the program is designed to support exporters affected by geopolitical instability while helping Brazilian companies and cooperatives reach new markets.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest animal-protein producers, and expanding access to strategic overseas markets remains important for the sector, Gordon said in the BNDES statement. The Brasil Soberano plan seeks to reduce the impact of international disruptions on exporters and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.

Aurora Coop

Founded in 1969, Aurora Coop is made up of 14 affiliated agricultural cooperatives operating across Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul.

The group is one of Brazil’s largest agribusiness organizations in the animal-protein sector and offers more than 800 products spanning pork, poultry, dairy products and processed foods.

Its brands include Aurora, Aurora Bem Leve, Aurora Premium, Nobre, Alegra and Gran Mestri. The affiliated cooperatives comprise about 87,000 member families producing in more than 1,000 Brazilian municipalities.